A colony protecting an under-threat bird is ready and waiting to accept this year’s arrivals from Africa.
Work has been completed for the setting up of the Gronant Dunes Little Terns Colony by Denbighshire Countryside Services, the North Wales Little Tern Group and other volunteers.
The site which has welcomed the birds all the way from the west coast of Africa for over two decade, is ready to both care for the animals and also help educate interested visitors to the area.
A 3.5km perimeter fence and three kilometres electric fence has been put up along the beach area to protect the birds from ground predation. Both will be removed at the end of the season to ensure a no trace policy on the area which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The visitors centre and bird hide enabling people to watch the colony from a safe distance are also now up in place for the season.
Last year saw 166 breeding pairs recorded and a total of 158 fledglings at the colony, a slight increase on the number of young seen during the 2023 season.
And in 2024, the site saw two avocet chicks successfully bred at Gronant for the very first time.
North Denbighshire Coastal Ranger Claudia Smith explained: “We have already seen the Little Terns start to arrive here and we are ready to protect and support them throughout this breeding season. None of what we do here would be possible without also the support of all the volunteers who help us.
She added: “Wardens are now on site, operating from the visitors centre who as well as protecting the birds, will be available to talk to visitors to the site and also collect information about this year’s colony.”
Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion said: “For over two decades Countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked very hard to protect this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the Little Terns. Everyone involved can be immensely proud of what they do to maintain this bustling colony on Gronant Dunes.”
If you are interested in volunteering to support the colony and other coastal projects, contact claudia.smith@denbighshire.gov.uk